Optical Electro-Mechanical Hearing Devices with Separate Power and Signal Components

ABSTRACT

A device to transmit an audio signal comprises at least one light source configured to transmit the audio signal with at least one wavelength of light. At least one detector is configured to detect the audio signal and generate at least one electrical signal in response to the at least one wavelength of light. A transducer is supported with and configured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or a cochlea. Active circuitry is coupled to the transducer to drive the transducer in response to the at least one electrical signal, so as to provide the user with high quality sound.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application Nos. 61/073,281 filed Jun. 17, 2008 and61/139,520 filed Dec. 19, 2008; the full disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The subject matter of the present application is related to thefollowing provisional applications: 61/073,271, entitled “OPTICALELECTRO-MECHANICAL HEARING DEVICES WITH COMBINED POWER AND SIGNALARCHITECTURES”, filed on Jun. 17, 2008; 61/139,522 filed Dec. 19, 2008,entitled “OPTICAL ELECTRO-MECHANICAL HEARING DEVICES WITH COMBINED POWERAND SIGNAL ARCHITECTURES”; and 61/177,047 filed May 11, 2009, entitled“OPTICAL ELECTRO-MECHANICAL HEARING DEVICES WITH COMBINED POWER ANDSIGNAL ARCHITECTURES”; the full disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference and suitable for combination in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to hearing systems, devices andmethods. Although specific reference is made to hearing aid systems,embodiments of the present invention can be used in many applicationswhere tissue is stimulated with at least one of vibration or anelectrical current, for example with wireless communication, thetreatment of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, and cochlearimplants.

People like to hear. Hearing devices can be used with communicationsystems and aids to help the hearing impaired. Hearing impaired subjectsneed hearing aids to verbally communicate with those around them. Opencanal hearing aids have proven to be successful in the marketplacebecause of increased comfort and an improved cosmetic appearance.Another reason why open canal hearing aides can be popular is reducedocclusion of the ear canal. Occlusion can result in an unnatural,tunnel-like hearing effect which can be caused by large hearing aidswhich block the ear canal. However, a problem that may occur with opencanal hearing aids is feedback. The feedback may result from placementof the microphone in too close proximity with the speaker or theamplified sound being too great. Thus, feedback can limit the degree ofsound amplification that a hearing aid can provide. In some instances,feedback may be minimized by using non-acoustic means of stimulating thenatural hearing transduction pathway, for example stimulating thetympanic membrane and/or bones of the ossicular chain. A permanentmagnet or plurality of magnets may be coupled to the eardrum or theossicles in the middle ear to stimulate the hearing pathway. Thesepermanent magnets can be magnetically driven to cause motion in thehearing transduction pathway thereby causing neural impulses leading tothe sensation of hearing. A permanent magnet may be coupled to theeardrum through the use of a fluid and surface tension, for example asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,259,032 and 6,084,975.

However, work in relation to embodiments of the present inventionsuggests that magnetically driving the hearing transduction pathway mayhave limitations. The strength of the magnetic field generated to drivethe attached magnet may decrease rapidly with the distance from thefield generator coil to the permanent magnet. For magnets implanted tothe ossicle, invasive surgery may be needed. Coupling a magnet to theeardrum may avoid the need for invasive surgery. However, there can be aneed to align the driver coil with the permanent magnet, and placementof the driver coil near the magnet can cause discomfort for the user, inat least some instances.

An alternative approach is a photo-mechanical system, for example, ahearing device may use light as a medium to transmit sound signals. Suchsystems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,289,639 and U.S. Pat. App. No.U.S. Publication Nos. 2006/0189841. The optical output signal can bedelivered to an output transducer coupled to the eardrum or the ossicle.Although optical systems may result in improved comfort for the patient,work in relation to embodiments of the present invention suggests thatsuch systems may result in at least some distortion of the signal suchthat in some instances the sound perceived by the patient may be lessthan ideal in at least some instances.

Although pulse width modulation can be used to transmit an audio signalwith an optical signal, work in relation to embodiments of the presentinvention suggests that at least some of the known pulse widthmodulation schemes may not work well with prior hearing devices in atleast some instances. A digital signal output can be represented by atrain of digital pulses. The pulses can have a duty cycle (the ratio oftime in active to the overall period) that varies with the intendedanalog amplitude level. The pulses can be integrated to find theintended audio signal, which has an amplitude equal to the duty cyclemultiplied by the pulse amplitude. When the amplitude of the intendedaudio signal decreases, the duty cycle can be decreased so that theamplitude of the integrated audio signal drops proportionally.Conversely, when the amplitude of the intended audio signal increases,the duty cycle can be increased so that the amplitude risesproportionally. Analog audio signals may vary positively or negativelyfrom zero. At least some known pulse width modulation schemes may use aquiescent level, or zero audio level, represented by a 50% duty cycle.Decreases in duty cycle from this quiescent level can correspond tonegative audio signal amplitude while increases in duty cycle cancorrespond to positive audio signal amplitude. Because this quiescentlevel is maintained, significant amounts of power may be consumed in atleast some instances. While this amount of power use may not be aproblem for larger signal transduction systems, in at least someinstances this power use can pose problems for hearing devices, whichare preferably small and may use small batteries that are ideallyinfrequently replaced.

For the above reasons, it would be desirable to provide hearing systemswhich at least decrease, or even avoid, at least some of the abovementioned limitations of the current hearing devices. For example, thereis a need to provide a comfortable hearing device with less distortionand less feedback than current devices.

2. Description of the Background Art

Patents of interest include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,585,416, 3,764,748,5,142,186, 5,554,096, 5,624,376, 5,795,287, 5,800,336, 5,825,122,5,857,958, 5,859,916, 5,888,187, 5,897,486, 5,913,815, 5,949,895,6,093,144, 6,139,488, 6,174,278, 6,190,305, 6,208,445, 6,217,508,6,222,302, 6,422,991, 6,475,134, 6,519,376, 6,626,822, 6,676,592,6,728,024, 6,735,318, 6,900,926, 6,920,340, 7,072,475, 7,095,981,7,239,069, 7,289,639, D512,979, and EP1845919. Patent publications ofinterest include: PCT Publication Nos. WO 03/063542, WO 2006/075175,U.S. Publication Nos. 2002/0086715, 2003/0142841, 2004/0234092,2006/0107744, 2006/0233398, 2006/075175, 2008/0021518, and2008/01079292. Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,032 (Attorney DocketNo. 026166-000500US), U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,910 (Attorney Docket No.026166-000600US), U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,104 (Attorney Docket No.026166-000700US), U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,109 (Attorney Docket No.026166-000200US), U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,975 (Attorney Docket No.026166-000300US), U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,761 (Attorney Docket No.026166-001700US), U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,922 (Attorney Docket No.026166-001600US), U.S. Publication Nos. 2006/0023908 (Attorney DocketNo. 026166-000100US), 2006/0189841 (Attorney Docket No.026166-000820US), 2006/0251278 (Attorney Docket No. 026166-000900US),and 2007/0100197 (Attorney Docket No. 026166-001100US), the completedisclosures of which herein are incorporated herein by reference andsuitable for combination in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention, may also be of interest. Journal publications ofpotential interest include: Ayatollahi et al., “Design and Modeling ofMicromachines Condenser MEMS Loudspeaker using Permanent MagnetNeodymium-Iron-Boron (Nd—Fe—B)”, ISCE, Kuala Lampur, 2006; Birch et al,“Microengineered Systems for the Hearing Impaired”, IEE, London, 1996;Cheng et al., “A silicon microspeaker for hearing instruments”, J.Micromech. Microeng., 14 (2004) 859-866; Yi et al., “Piezoelectricmicrospeaker with compressive nitride diaphragm”, IEEE, 2006, andZhigang Wang et al., “Preliminary Assessment of Remote PhotoelectricExcitation of an Actuator for a Hearing Implant”, IEEE Engineering inMedicine and Biology 27th Annual Conference, Shanghai, China, Sep. 1-4,2005 Other publications of interest include: Gennum GA3280 PreliminaryData Sheet, “Voyager TD™. Open Platform DSP System for Ultra Low PowerAudio Processing” and National Semiconductor LM4673 Data Sheet, “LM4673Filterless, 2.65 W, Mono, Class D audio Power Amplifier”; and Lee etal., “The Optimal Magnetic Force For A Novel Actuator Coupled to theTympanic Membrane: A Finite Element Analysis,” Biomedical Engineering:Applications, Basis and Communications, Vol. 19, No. 3(171-177), 2007.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to hearing systems, devices andmethods. Embodiments of the present invention can provide improved audiosignal transmission which overcomes at least some of the aforementionedlimitations of current systems. The systems, devices, and methodsdescribed herein may find application for hearing devices, for exampleopen ear canal hearing aides. A transducer can be supported with andconfigured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or acochlea. Active circuitry powered with an optical signal can be used todrive the transducer in response to the optical signal so as to providethe user with high quality sound. Therefore, the user can have thebeneficial comfort of optical coupling and the high quality sound ofactive circuitry.

In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a deviceto transmit an audio signal. At least one light source is configured totransmit the audio signal with at least one wavelength of light. Atleast one detector is configured to detect the audio signal and generateat least one electrical signal in response to the at least onewavelength of light. A transducer is supported with and configured tovibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or a cochlea. Activecircuitry is coupled to at least one detector and the transducer todrive the transducer in response to the electrical signal.

In many embodiments, a power storage device is coupled to the at leastone detector and the active circuitry to power the active circuitry withenergy from the at least one detector. The power storage device and theactive circuitry can be configured with size and mass for support withat least one of the eardrum, the ossicle or the cochlea. The at leastone light source and the at least one detector can be configured tosupply power to the power storage device and the active circuitry so asto drive the transducer with energy from the at least one light source.The power storage device may comprise at least one of a capacitor or aminiature rechargeable battery.

In many embodiments, the photodetector comprises at least one of ascrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, micromorphous silicon, blacksilicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium, gallium selenide, or indiumgallium arsenide.

In many embodiments, the transducer comprises at least one of a piezoelectric transducer, a flex tensional transducer, a wire coil, a magnetor an acoustic speaker. The active circuitry may comprise at least oneof a transistor, an amplifier, a logic gate or a flip flop.

In many embodiments, the audio signal transmitted from the at least onelight source to the at least one detector comprises a pulse widthmodulated signal. The pulse width modulated (hereinafter “PWM”) signalmay comprise at least one of a delta PWM signal, a differential drivePWM signal, a delta-sigma PWM signal or a differential delta-sigma PWMsignal.

Many embodiments further comprise circuitry coupled to an inputconfigured to receive the audio signal. The circuitry is coupled to theat least one light source, and the circuitry is configured to adjust anoutput of the at least one light source to power the active circuitry inresponse to the audio signal. The circuitry can be configured measurethe audio signal to determine energy of the audio signal and to adjustan amount of energy transmitted with the at least one light source inresponse to the power of the audio signal. For example, the circuitrycan be configured to adjust at least one of a DC bias or an amplitude ofpulses of the at least one light source in response to the audio signalto power the active circuitry. Alternatively or in combination, the atleast one light source may comprise a first light source configured totransmit the audio signal and a second light source configured totransmit power, and the circuitry is configured to adjust and amount ofpower transmitted with the second light source in response to the audiosignal.

In many embodiments, the circuitry comprises a sound processorconfigured to measure the audio signal and to adjust the output of theat least one light source to power the active circuitry in response tothe audio signal.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a systemto transmit an audio signal. An input transducer assembly comprises atleast one light source configured to emit at least one wavelength oflight. An output transducer assembly comprises at least one detectorconfigured to detect the at least one wavelength of light, activecircuitry coupled to the at least one detector and a transducerelectrically coupled to the active circuitry. The transducer isconfigured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle, or acochlea of the user in response to the at least one wavelength of light.

In many embodiments, the output transducer assembly is supported withthe at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle or the cochlea. The outputtransducer assembly may comprise a power storage device supported withthe at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle. The power storage devicecan be configured with at least one of a size or a mass to vibrate withthe at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle or the cochlea. The activecircuitry can be coupled to the detector and the transducer to drive thetransducer in response to the at least one wavelength of light. Theactive circuitry can be configured with at least one of a size or a massto vibrate with the at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle or thecochlea.

In many embodiments, the input transducer is configured to transmit theat least one wavelength of light as a pulse width modulated signal andwherein the output transducer assembly is configured to vibrate the atleast one of the eardrum, the ossicle or the cochlea in response to thepulse width modulated signal.

In many embodiments, the at least one wavelength of light comprises afirst wavelength of light and a second wavelength of light, and the atleast one light source comprises a first light source configured to emitthe first wavelength and a second light source configured to emit thesecond wavelength of light. The at least one detector comprises a firstdetector configured to move the transducer with a first movement inresponse to a first at least one wavelength of light. A second detectoris configured to move the transducer with a second movement in responseto the second at least one wavelength, in which the second movement isopposite the first movement.

The at least one wavelength of light comprises at least one of anultraviolet light, a visible light or an infrared light.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a methodof transmitting an audio signal. At least one wavelength of light isemitted from at least one light source. The at least one wavelength oflight is detected to generate and electrical signal. At least one of aneardrum, an ossicle, or a cochlea of a user is vibrated in response tothe electrical signal.

In many embodiments, the output transducer assembly is supported withthe at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle or the cochlea. The outputtransducer assembly may comprise a power storage device supported withthe at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle or the cochlea. The powerstorage device may vibrate when the at least one of the eardrum, theossicle or the cochlea is vibrated. The output transducer assembly maycomprise active circuitry supported with the at least one of theeardrum, the ossicle or the cochlea. The active circuitry can be coupledto the detector and the transducer to drive the transducer in responseto the at least one wavelength of light. The active circuitry mayvibrate when the at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle or the cochleavibrates.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide deviceto stimulate a target tissue. The device comprises at least one lightsource configured to transmit a pulse width modulated light signal withat least one wavelength of light. At least one detector is coupled tothe target tissue to stimulate the target tissue in response to themodulated light signal.

In many embodiments, an implantable detector is configured to stimulatethe tissue with at least one of a vibration or a current and wherein thedetector is coupled to at least one of a transducer or at least twoelectrodes. For example, the detector can be configured to stimulate thetissue with the current, and the detector can be coupled to the at leasttwo electrodes. The target tissue may comprise a cochlea of the user,and the modulated light signal may comprise an audio signal.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a methodof stimulating a target tissue. A pulse width modulated light signalcomprising at least one wavelength of light is emitted from at least onelight source. The target tissue is stimulated in response to themodulated light signal.

In many embodiments, the target tissue is stimulated with at least oneof a vibration or a current. The target tissue can be stimulated withthe current, and the implantable detector can be coupled to at least twoelectrodes and stimulate the tissue in response to the modulated signalcomprising the at least one wavelength of light. The target tissue maycomprise a cochlea of the user and the modulated light signal maycomprise an audio signal.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide deviceto transmit an audio signal comprising sound to a user. The devicecomprises means for transmitting the audio signal and means fordetecting the audio signal such that the user hears the sound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a hearing system using photo-electro-mechanical soundtransduction, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of components of the hearing systemas in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A shows an ear canal module comprising the components of FIG. 2,according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a photo-electro-mechanical transducer assembly for use withthe system as in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 3A shows an implantable output assembly for use with components ofa system as in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4A shows a first rotational movement comprising first rotation witha flex tensional transducer and a second rotation movement comprising asecond rotation opposite the first rotation, according to embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4B shows a translational movement in a first direction with a coiland magnet and a second translational movement in a second directionopposite the first direction; according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows the circuitry of a hearing system, as in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 shows a pulse width modulated signal suitable for use with thetransducer assembly;

FIG. 7 shows a pair of complementary digital signals, according toembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a digital signal, according to embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 shows circuitry for use with the signal shown by FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows the circuitry of an output transducer assembly for ahearing system, as in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 10A shows PWM pulses biased in response to energy of the audiosignal, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10B shows PWM pulses with amplitudes adjusted in response to energyof the audio signal, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10C shows voltage to a second light source configured to transmitpower in response to energy of the audio signal, according toembodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 shows a method of transmitting sound to a user, according toembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention can be used in many applicationswhere tissue is stimulated with at least one of vibration or anelectrical current, for example with wireless communication, thetreatment of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, and cochlearimplants. An optical signal can be transmitted to a photodetectorcoupled to tissue so as to stimulate tissue. The tissue can bestimulated with at least one of a vibration or an electrical current.For example, tissue can be vibrated such that the user perceives sound.Alternatively or in combination, the tissue such as neural tissue can bestimulated with an electrical current such that the user perceivessound. The optical signal transmission architecture described herein canhave many uses outside the field of hearing and hearing loss and can beused to treat, for example, neurological disorders such as Parkinson's.

Embodiments of the present invention can provide optically coupledhearing devices with improved audio signal transmission. The systems,devices, and methods described herein may find application for hearingdevices, for example open ear canal hearing aides. Although specificreference is made to hearing aid systems, embodiments of the presentinvention can be used in any application where sound is amplified for auser, for example with wireless communication and for example withsurgical implants to the middle ear and cochlear implants.

As used herein active circuitry encompasses circuitry that can amplifyan input signal so as to produce an output signal having more power thanthe input signal. The active circuitry may comprise at least one of atransistor, an amplifier, a logic gate or a flip flop. The additionalpower of the output signal can be obtained from a power storage device.The power storage device may comprise at least one of a miniaturerechargeable battery or a capacitor. In many embodiments, the powerstorage device is charged and/or recharged with optical power from alight source, such as the light source used to transmit the audiosignal. At least one of the active circuitry or the power storage devicecan be configured to vibrate with the transducer.

A hearing aid system using photo-electro-mechanical transduction isshown in FIG. 1. The hearing system 10 includes an input transducerassembly 20 and an output transducer assembly 30. As shown in FIG. 1,the input transducer assembly 20 is located at least partially behindthe pinna P, although the input transducer assembly may be located atmany sites such as in pinna P or entirely within ear canal EC, forexample, as with microphone 22. The input transducer assembly 20receives a sound input, for example an audio sound. With hearing aidsfor hearing impaired individuals, the input is ambient sound. In thiscase, input transducer assembly can include a suitable amplifier orother electronic interface. In some embodiments, the input may be anelectronic sound signal from a sound producing or receiving device, suchas a telephone, a cellular telephone, a Bluetooth connection, a radio, adigital audio unit, and the like.

Input transducer assembly 20 includes a light source, such as an LED ora laser diode. The light source produces a modulated light output basedon the sound input. The light output comprises at least one wavelength λof light that is delivered to a target location near or adjacent tooutput transducer assembly 30 by a light transmission element 12 whichtraverses ear canal EC. Light transmission element 12 may be an opticfiber or bundle of optic fibers. The light output comprising at leastone wavelength λ is selected to couple to the output transducer assembly30 to provide a signal to output transducer assembly 30 so that it canproduce mechanical vibrations. For example, light output comprising atleast one wavelength λ may cause output transducer assembly 30 to movein a first direction 40 or in a second direction 45. Second direction 45may be opposite first direction 40. The at least one wavelength λ maycomprise a plurality of wavelengths, for example a first wavelength tomove the transducer of the transducer assembly in first direction 40 anda second wavelength to move the transducer of the transducer assembly insecond direction 45. When properly coupled to the subject's hearingtransduction pathway, the mechanical vibrations induces neural impulsesin the subject which are interpreted by the subject as the originalsound input, or at least something reasonably representative of theoriginal sound input.

The output transducer assembly 30 can be configured to couple to somepoint in the hearing transduction pathway of the subject in order toinduce neural impulses which are interpreted as sound by the subject.Preferably, the output transducer assembly 30 can couple to the tympanicmembrane TM. Alternatively, the output transducer assembly 15 may coupleto a bone in the ossicular chain OS or directly to the cochlea CO whereit is positioned to vibrate fluid within the cochlea CO. Specific pointsof attachment, for example to at least one the tympanic membrane, anossicle of the middle ear or the cochlea, are described in prior U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,259,032; 5,456,654; 6,084,975; and 6,629,922 and 7,289,639.

The input transducer assembly 20 can be configured in many ways tocouple to the output transducer assembly 30. For example, the inputtransducer assembly 20 may comprise a behind the ear unit (hereinafter“BTE”), such that many of the electronic components can be positionedbehind the ear with light transmission element 12 extending into the earcanal. Alternatively, the input transducer assembly 20 may comprise amodule configured for placement in the ear canal, for example asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,289,639. The circuitry of the inputtransducer assembly as described herein can be sized and configured forplacement in the ear canal, such that the user hears high quality soundwith an input transducer assembly configured for placement in the earcanal.

FIG. 2 graphically depicts components of hearing system 10. The inputtransducer assembly 20 may comprise an input transducer 210, an audioprocessor 220, an emitter driver 240 and emitters 250. The outputtransducer assembly 30 may comprise filters 260, detectors 270, atransducer driver 280 and an output transducer 290. Input transducer 210takes ambient sound and converts it into an analog electrical signal.Input transducer 210 often includes a microphone which may be placed inthe ear canal, behind the ear, in the pinna, or generally in proximitywith the ear. Audio processor 220 may provide a frequency dependent gainto the analog electrical signal. The analog electrical signal isconverted to a digital electrical signal by digital output 230. Audioprocessor 220 may comprise many audio processors, for example an audioprocessor commercially available from Gennum of Corporation ofBurlington, Canada and GA3280 hybrid audio processor commerciallyavailable from Sound Design Technologies, Ltd. of Burlington Ontario,Canada. Digital output 230 includes a modulator, for example, apulse-width modulator or a delta-sigma converter. Emitter driver 240processes the digital electrical signal so that it is specific tooptical transmission and the power requirements of emitters 250.

Emitters 250 produce a light output representative of the electricalsignal. For a dual component electrical signal, emitters 250 can includetwo light sources, one for each component, and produce two light outputsignals 254, 256. The light source may be, for example, an LED or alaser diode, and the light output may be in the infrared, visible, orultraviolet wavelength. For example, the light source may comprise anLED that emits at least one wavelength of light comprising a centralwavelength and a plurality of wavelengths distributed about the centralwavelength with a bandwidth of about 40 nm. The light source maycomprise a laser diode that emits at least one wavelength of lightcomprising a central wavelength with a bandwidth no more than about 2nm, for example no more than 1 nm. The first at least one wavelengthfrom the first source can be different from the second at least onewavelength from the second source, for example different by at least 80nm, such that the first at least one wavelength can be separated fromthe second at least one wavelength of light. The first at least onewavelength may comprise a first bandwidth, for example 60 nm, and thesecond at least one wavelength may comprise a second bandwidth, forexample 60 nm, and the first at least one wavelength can be differentfrom the second at least one wavelength by at least the first bandwidthand the second bandwidth, for example 120 nm.

The light output signals travel along a single or multiple optical pathsthough the ear canal, for example, via an optic fiber or fibers. Thelight output signals may spatially overlap. The signals are received byan output transducer assembly which can be placed on the ear canal.

The output transducer assembly comprises components to respond to theoptical signal so as to vibrate at least one of the eardrum, theossicles or the cochlea in response to the optical signal. Detectors 270receive the light output signals. Detectors 270 include at least onephotodetector provided for each light output signal. A photodetector maybe, for example, a photodiode, a photovoltaic, or the like. Filters 260are optionally provided along the optical path. Filters 260 separate thelight output signals. For example, a first filter may be provided totransmit the wavelength of output 254 while a second filter transmitsthe wavelength of output 256. Filters may be any one of the thin film,interference, dichroic, or gel types with either band-pass, low-pass, orhigh-pass characteristics. For example, the band-pass characteristicsmay be configured to pass the at least one wavelength of the source, forexample configured with a 30 nm bandwidth to pass a 10 nm bandwidthsource, as described above. The low-pass and high-pass maybe combined topass only one preferred wavelength using the low-pass filter and theother wavelength using the high-pass filter.

Each of detectors 270 may comprise at least one photovoltaic materialsuch as crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, micromorphous silicon,black silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium selenide, andthe like. In some embodiments at least one of photodetectors 270comprises black silicon, for example as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,354,792 and 7,390,689 and available under from SiOnyx, Inc. ofBeverly, Mass. The black silicon may comprise shallow junction photonicsmanufactured with semiconductor process that exploits atomic levelalterations that occur in materials irradiated by high intensity lasers,such as a femto-second laser that exposes the target semiconductor tohigh intensity pulses as short as one billionth of a millionth of asecond. Crystalline materials subject to these intense localized energyevents may under go a transformative change, such that the atomicstructure becomes instantaneously disordered and new compounds are“locked in” as the substrate re-crystallizes. When applied to silicon,the result can be a highly doped, optically opaque, shallow junctioninterface that is many times more sensitive to light than conventionalsemiconductor materials.

Transducer driver 280 converts the light output signals back intodigital electrical signals which carries audio information. Outputtransducer 290 converts the electrical signal representative of soundinto a mechanical energy which then is transmitted to a patient'shearing transduction pathway, causing the sensation of hearing. Thetransducer may be a piezoelectric transducer, a flex tensionaltransducer, a magnet and wire coil, or a microspeaker.

Alternatively to the transducer driver 280, at least two electrodes canbe coupled to the at least one of the detectors, such that the userperceives sound in response to tissue stimulation from the at least twoelectrodes. The at least two electrodes can be configured for placementat least partially in the cochlea of the user, such that the userperceives sound in response to the light output.

Many of the above components can be sized and positioned so as to fitwithin the BTE unit positioned behind the ear.

FIG. 2A shows components of input transducer assembly 20 positioned in amodule sized to fit in the ear canal of the user. The module maycomprise an outer housing 246 shaped to the ear of the user, for examplewith a mold of the ear canal. The module may comprise a channelextending from a proximal end where the input transducer 210 is locatedto a distal end from which light is emitted, such that occlusion isdecreased.

FIG. 3 shows an output transducer assembly 300 placed on the tympanicmembrane TM, also referred to as the eardrum. Output transducer assembly300 comprises circuitry which is used to convert light output signalsinto electrical energy and mechanical energy. Output transducer assembly300 includes photodetectors 320, 325. Photodetectors 320, 325 detectlight output signals 310, 315, respectively, and convert the lightoutput into electrical signals. Output transducer assembly 300 comprisesa power storage component 330. Power storage component 330 may compriseat least one of a capacitor, a miniature rechargeable battery, or knownpower storage device. The power storage component can provide electricalpower for an active circuitry component 340. The active circuitrycomponent may comprise at least one of an amplifier or a flip flop. Theactive circuitry component 340 is coupled to photodetectors 320, 325 toreceive the light output signals 320, 325, respectively. Opticalfilters, as described above, can be used. The active circuitry componentapplies electrical energy to the load in response to input signals 320,325 respectively. The electrical signals reach load 350 which convertsthe electrical signals into a mechanical output such as a vibration.Load 350 may comprise a load from many known transducers, for example atleast one of a piezoelectric transducer, a flex tensional transducer, ora wire coil coupled to an external magnet.

In some embodiments, the output transducer assembly and output circuitrycan be positioned on and/or supported with an ossicle, for example asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,289,639.

FIG. 3A shows an implantable output assembly for use with components ofa system as in FIGS. 1 and 2. The implantable output assembly 30 maycomprise at least two electrodes 390 and an extension 392 configured toextend to a target tissue, for example the cochlea. The implantableoutput assembly can be configured for placement in many locations and tostimulate many target tissues, such as neural tissue. The at least twoelectrodes can be coupled to the circuitry so as to comprise a load in amanner similar to transducer 310 described above. A current I flowsbetween the electrodes in response to the optical signal. For examplethe implantable output assembly can be configured to extend from themiddle ear to the cochlea. The implantable output assembly can beconfigured in many ways to stimulate a target tissue, for example totreat Parkinson's.

Load 350 may comprise a flex tensional transducer 450. FIG. 4A shows afirst rotational movement comprising first rotation 462 with a flextensional transducer 450 and a second rotation movement comprising asecond rotation 464 opposite the first rotation.

In some embodiments, load 350 may comprise a transducer 470 comprising acoil 472 magnetically coupled to a magnet 474. FIG. 4B shows a firsttranslational movement in a first direction 482 and a secondtranslational movement in a second direction 484 opposite the firstdirection with transducer 470 comprising a coil 472 and magnet 474.

FIG. 5 shows circuitry 500 for use with hearing system 10. Circuitry 500can be configured to transmit optical power for the output transducerassembly with the optical signal. Circuitry 500 includes an inputportion 501 and an output portion 506. Circuitry 500 may use thetechnique of ratiometric drive, in which two light signals aretransmitted, one during “low” signal time, the other during the “high”time of a class A signal.

PWM driver 510 provides a pulse width modulated signal 701, explainedmore fully below. The pulse width modulated signal from the PWM drivermay comprise many known PWM signals, for example at least one of a deltaPWM signal, a differential drive PWM signal, a delta-sigma PWM signal ora differential delta-sigma PWM signal.

Logic circuitry can be connected to the output of PWM driver 510. Signal701 drives light emitter 513 and inverter 519. Inverter 519 producesoutput signal 512 which drives light emitter 514. Since signal 512 isthe inverse of signal 701, light emitter 513 produces light wheneverlight emitter 514 does not. The light generated by light emitter 513 isconveyed over light channel 520 to light detector 515. The lightgenerated by light emitter 514 is conveyed over light channel 521 tolight detector 516. Light detectors 515, 516 are shown connected inseries. Light detectors 515, 516 may be photovoltaic cells. Resistors532, 533 are connected in parallel with detectors 515, 516,respectively, to provide current paths when the output voltage of onedetector is lower than the forward diode threshold voltage of the otherdetector. A power storage device, for example capacitor 547, may also beconnected in parallel with detectors 515 and 516 to provide constantvoltage power output 545. The power storage device may comprise at leastone of a miniature rechargeable battery or a capacitor. Output 545provides a constant voltage to power active circuit 537, which maycomprise an amplifier to drive transducer 538. Light emitter 513 andlight emitter 514 are configured to emit light energy so as to power thepower storage device and active circuit of output portion 506, such thatthe output transducer is driven with energy from the light emitter 513and light emitter 514.

The voltage from the center connection 544 of the two detectors 515, 516connected in series is connected to drive the input to the activecircuit 537. Due to the integrating action of the detectors 515, 516,the voltage from center connection 544 will vary between zero and themaximum voltage in a direct relationship to the ratio of light inchannel 520 to the light in channel 521. Optical filters, as describedabove, can be used. The analog voltage at connection 544 will thereforerepresent the analog output of PWM converter 510.

Alternatively to connecting the voltage from the active circuit 537 totransducer 538, the active circuit 537 can be coupled to at least twoelectrodes configured for placement at least partially within thecochlea of the user, such that the user perceives sound in response toelectrical stimulation of the cochlea in response to the light output.

FIG. 6 a simple pulse-width modulated signal 601 suitable for use withoutput transducer assembly. Signal 601, which is digital, can take twolevels, a high level or a low level, for example 0 V or 5 V. In someembodiments, signal 601 is always low at the start of time window 603and transitions to the high level at a variable time 605 within window603. At the end of window 603, signal 601 returns to the low level. Theintegrated output can be obtained by multiplying the pulse level outputby the ratio of time in the high level to the window 603 time.

Analog signals can often take values above and below zero, and the zerooutput condition of the modulation signal can be defined as thetransition at precisely 50 percent of the window time. This type ofelectrical signal can be referred to a class A signal, wherein the zero(or quiescent) level is represented by a voltage level 50 percent of themaximum voltage.

The digital signal can take zero voltage level as the quiescent stateand make excursions away from zero in the positive and negativedirections as the input analog signal makes similar excursions. Thistype of signal can be referred to as class B signal. In an electronicdevice having limited power and supply voltage, a class B signal can bepresented to an output transducer through the technique of differentialdrive. In the technique of differential drive, two outputs having aninverse relationship with one another are connected to one of theterminals of the output transducer. Connection in this mannereffectively doubles the signal voltage supplied to the outputtransducer.

Driving the output transducer with a simple inverse of one terminal'ssignal at the opposite terminal will result in a drive signal thatintegrates to zero during the quiescent point. The drive signal willalso contain significant energy at the switching frequency. Althoughanalog filter circuitry may be provided to block the energy at theswitching frequency, such circuitry may use components that increase thesize of the device.

Instead of filters, the inverted output signal 602 can be shifted by 50percent of the switching window as indicated by diagonal arrows 610. Inthe quiescent case, the transition points 603, 605 of signal A willalign with transition points 604, 606 of signal B and the levels of thesignals will be identical, resulting in zero voltage (A minus B) appliedto the terminals of the output transducer.

Alternatively to applying the resulting voltage to the outputtransducer, the signals can be applied to at least two electrodesconfigured for placement at least partially within the cochlea of theuser, such that the user perceives sound in response to electricalstimulation of the cochlea in response to the light output, as describedabove.

FIG. 7 shows a pair of complementary class B signals. When the analogoutput voltage moves above zero, the transition 705 of output signal A701 moves earlier and occurs before fixed transition 604 of the invertedoutput signal B 702. The high to low transition 706 of the invertedsignal B will occur before the fixed transition 603 of the signal A 701.

The differential output A minus B 713 therefore comprises a positivepulse 707 of width equal to the time difference between times 705 and604 and a positive pulse 708 of width equal to the time differencebetween times 706 and 603. When the time differences are equal, thewidths of pulses 707 and 708 are equal, and the integrated outputvoltage Vint 709 is a positive voltage as described above.

When the analog voltage signal is below zero, the transition 703 ofoutput signal A 701 moves later than the fixed transition time 604 ofsignal B 702, and in a similar fashion transition time 704 of signal Bmoves later than the fixed transition time 603 of signal A 701. In thiscase, the differential output A minus B 713 comprises negative pulses710, 711. The duration of pulse 710 is the time difference betweenvariable time 703 and fixed time 604. The duration of pulse 711 is thetime difference between variable time 704 and fixed time 603. Theintegrated result Vint moves from a positive level 709 defined by theduty cycles of pulses 707 and 708 and a negative level 712 defined bythe duty cycle of pulses 710 and 711.

At least some embodiments of the output transducer support electroniccircuitry so that the light output signal can be transmitted as pulsesdefining the transition times of a pulse-width modulated signal, withthe transducer signal toggled with each transition event. Depending uponthe time response of the transmission and reception path, the durationof the transmitted pulses can be small. Many embodiments include a firsthigh-speed signal transmission path and a second path to transmit power.

Alternatively to coupling the circuitry to an output transducer, theabove signals and first high-speed transmission path and second path totransmit power can be coupled to at least two electrodes configured forplacement at least partially within the cochlea of the user, such thatthe user perceives sound in response to electrical stimulation of thecochlea in response to the light output, as described above.

FIG. 8 shows a PWM signal 701 as previously described, which comprises asingle pulse-width modulated signal generated by a PWM driver, asdescribed above. High-to-low transitions 812 occur at fixed times andlow-to-high transitions 813 occur at times which vary according to theanalog output level. Each transition initiates a constant width pulse815 from the circuitry that produces signal 821. Trailing edges 814 ofthe pulses may occur a constant time after their initiation, or at atime which is adjusted to provide intended effects. The signal 821controls the emission of light from an emitter. At the receiver, theleading edge 816 of the light pulses triggers a toggle circuit whichregenerates the signal 701 or an inverse 826 of the signal 701.

FIG. 9 shows circuitry configured to implement the logic and process theoptically transmitted signal, as described above with reference to FIG.8. PWM signal 701 triggers a pulse generator 902 which is configured toproduce a constant-width pulse on its output 904 for each toggle of itsinput 701, for example constant width pulse 815. Light emitter 908 isdriven by the pulse output 904 and the light pulses generated areconducted over light path 909 to high-speed light detector 910 and powergenerating photovoltaic detector array 917, which may comprise a seriesarray of photovoltaic cells.

The signal 911 generated by light detector 910 is connected to the clockinput of D-type flip-flop 912, for example similar to the known 7474type logic circuits, in which the output 914 is configured to adopt thelevel of the input 913 upon the rising edge of the clock input 911. Acomplementary output 918 is configured to adopt the opposite level tothe output 914. Such a circuit comprises a toggle when the input 913 isconnected to the complementary output 918. The state of output 914, 918will exchange each time a rising signal edge is presented at clock input911.

The rising signal edge is presented at clock input 911 by the operationof photodetector 910, shown in FIG. 9 as a reverse-biased photodiode.Power to enable operation of the flip-flop 912 and to provide reversebias for the photodiode 910 is collected from the light stream byphotovoltaic detector array 917 and presented on signal 916 to thecircuitry. A power storage device such as a battery or a capacitor 919can be connected in parallel with photodetector 917 to provide power toflip-flop 912. The power storage device may comprise a miniaturerechargeable battery. The voltage presented by photovoltaic detectorarray 917 may be varied by adjusting the width of pulses generated bypulse generator 902.

Output transducer 915 is connected between the output 914 of theflip-flop 912 and its complementary output 918. An effect of doublingthe signal voltage is seen by transducer 915.

Alternatively to coupling the circuitry to transducer 915, the abovecircuitry can be coupled to at least two electrodes configured forplacement at least partially within the cochlea of the user, such thatthe user perceives sound in response to electrical stimulation of thecochlea in response to the light output, as described above.

FIG. 10 shows an output transducer assembly configured to operate withtwo light output channels, for example a first channel 520 and a secondchannel 521 as described above with reference to FIG. 5. Each lightoutput channel may be exclusive to one of photodetectors 1001 or 1002.Photodetectors 1001 and 1002 are connected in parallel. Due to theintegrating characteristics of photodetectors 1001 and 1002, a bipolaranalog voltage is produced.

The output light channels can transmit many kinds of light signals, forexample signal A 701 and signal B 702 as described above, to generatethe bipolar analog voltage. The pulse width modulated signal A andsignal B from the PWM driver may comprise many known PWM signals, forexample at least one of a delta PWM signal, a differential drive PWMsignal, a delta-sigma PWM signal or a differential delta-sigma PWMsignal. In some embodiments, light power transmission can be minimizedwith logic circuitry. For example logic circuitry configured todetermine a first condition comprising A and Not B of signal A andsignal B and a second condition comprising B and Not A of signal B andsignal A. The output from the first condition can drive the first lightsource and the output from the second condition can drive the secondlight source, such that energy transmitted with the first and secondlight source is minimized.

Light from both light channels is made available to power photodetectors1001 and 1002. Negative terminal 1005 of power photodetector array 1001is connected as the power return from amplifier 1008. Positive terminal1003 of the power photodetector array 1001 and 1002 is connected to thepositive power supply to amplifier 1008. The center terminal 1004 of thephotodetector array is connected as the signal return from the outputtransducer 1012 and signal photodetectors 1009, 1010 Capacitors 1006 and1007 are connected in parallel with photodetectors 1001 and 1002,respectively. A power storage device, for example at least one of aminiature rechargeable battery or a capacitor, can be connected acrosspositive terminal 1002 and negative terminal 1005 in parallel withphotodetector array 1001 to power amplifier 1008. Capacitors 1006, 1007may provide the energy storage capability.

Light impinging on the power photodetector array 1001, 1002 generates apositive voltage difference which powers amplifier 1008. Light impingingupon signal photodetector 1009 generates a negative signal at the input1011 to amplifier 1008, and in a like fashion, light impinging uponphotodetector 1010 will generate a positive signal voltage at the input1011 to amplifier 1008.

Amplifier 1008 produces a signal voltage on output conductor 1013, whichis connected to output transducer 1012. Current flows from capacitor1006 through positive supply conductor 1003, through amplifier 1008 intooutput transducer 1012 and then flows out on conductor 1004 to thejunction of capacitors 1006 and 1007. This current flow chargescapacitor 1007 and discharges capacitor 1006.

When the output polarity reverses, current flows from the junction ofcapacitors 1006 and 1007 through conductor 1004, through outputtransducer 1012, through amplifier 1008 and return conductor 1005 tocapacitor 1007. This current flow charges capacitor 1006 and dischargecapacitor 1007. Charge loss can be minimized while driving currentthough the output transducer 1012.

Power photodetectors 1001 and 1002 act to recharge capacitors 1006 and1007. Power photodetectors 1001 and 1002 may be series-connected arraysas necessary to provide adequate operating voltage to amplifier 1008,which may incorporate such circuitry as is necessary to accept andamplify bipolar input signals on input 1011. Capacitor 1006 may bereplaced and/or combined with a miniature Li-Ion or other rechargeablebattery. First power photodetector 1001 and second power photodetector1002 may each comprise at least one photovoltaic material such ascrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, micromorphous silicon, blacksilicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium, or gallium selenide. In manyembodiments, at least one of first power photodetector 1001 or secondpower photodetector 1002 comprises black silicon, for example asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,354,792 and 7,390,689 and available underfrom SiOnyx, Inc. of Beverly, Mass., as described above.

Alternatively coupling the above circuitry to transducer 1012, the abovecircuitry can be coupled to at least two electrodes configured forplacement at least partially within the cochlea of the user, such thatthe user perceives sound in response to electrical stimulation of thecochlea in response to the light output, as described above.

The above circuits may be configured to bias a photo voltaic such asblack silicon so as to optimize the absorption and efficiency of thephotovoltaic transducer. For example a biased black silicon photovoltaiccan be used for power with a fast photo sensor, such as a reverse biasedphotodiode, used for signal reception.

FIG. 10A shows PWM pulses biased in response to energy of the audiosignal. First pulses 1060 comprise a low frequency bias, for “DC” biasthat changes slowly, for example in response to low pass filtering ofthe audio signal. The pulses can be combined with the bias, for examplewith addition, such that an amplitude 1062 of the pulses imposed on thebias remains substantially constant. In response to the energy of thefirst pulses 1060, the circuitry can adjust the bias, for exampleincrease the bias in response to an increase in energy, for examplepower, of the audio signal. Second pulses 1070 comprise a secondamplitude 1072 that is substantially similar to first amplitude 1062first pulses 1060. Second bias 1074 is adjusted in response to energy offirst pulses 1060, such that second bias 1074 differs substantially fromfirst bias 1064 so as to accommodate the power consumption of the activecircuitry and transducer components.

FIG. 10B shows PWM pulses with amplitudes adjusted in response to energyof the audio signal. First pulses 1080 comprise a first amplitude 1082and second pulses 1090 comprise a second amplitude 1092 differssubstantially from first amplitude 1082 so as to accommodate the powerconsumption of the active circuitry and transducer components.

FIG. 10C shows voltage to a second light source configured to transmitpower to the active circuitry components and transducer, so as toaccommodate the power consumption of the these components. A firstamplitude 1097 is configured to provide sufficient power for firstenergy of the audio signal, for example first power of the audio signal.A second amplitude 1099 is configured to provide sufficient power forsecond energy of the audio signal, for example second power of the audiosignal.

FIG. 11 shows a method 1100 of transmitting sound to a user. A step 1105inputs an audio signal to an input transducer. A step 1110 measures theaudio signal. A step 1115 processes the audio signal. The processing canbe analog, or digital, or a combination thereof. A step 1120 determinesan amount of power of the audio signal. For example with a digital soundprocessor or with an analog low pass filter, for example. A step 1125adjusts output in response to the audio signal. The output can beadjusted in many ways, for example with at least one of a DC bias, asliding scale or an amount of power of a separate channel. A step 1130determines PWM pulses in response to the audio signal. A step 1135drives at least one light source in response to the PWM signal andadjustment. A step 1140 transmits the transmits light from the at leastone source. A step 1145 filters the transmitted light with filters. Astep 1150 detects light with detectors. A step 1155 stores transmittedenergy for the active circuitry with a storage device. A step 1160drives the transducer in response to the PWM signal and the storedenergy. With step 1165 a user hears the transmitted audio sound.

Many of the steps of method 1100 can be implemented with the audioprocessor, described above. For example, the tangible medium of theaudio processor may comprise instructions of a computer program embodiedtherein to implement many of the steps of method 1100.

It should be appreciated that the specific steps illustrated in FIG. 11provides a particular method transmitting an audio signal, according tosome embodiments of the present invention. Other sequences of steps mayalso be performed according to alternative embodiments. For example,alternative embodiments of the present invention may perform the stepsoutlined above in a different order. Moreover, the individual stepsillustrated in FIG. 8 may include multiple sub-steps that may beperformed in various sequences as appropriate to the individual step.Furthermore, additional steps may be added or removed depending on theparticular applications. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

While the above is a complete description of the preferred embodimentsof the invention, various alternatives, modifications, and equivalentsmay be used. Therefore, the above description should not be taken aslimiting in scope of the invention which is defined by the appendedclaims.

1. A device to transmit an audio signal, the device comprising: at leastone light source configured to transmit the audio signal with at leastone wavelength of light; at least one detector configured to detect theaudio signal and generate at least one electrical signal in response tothe at least one wavelength of light; a transducer supported with andconfigured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or acochlea; and active circuitry coupled to the at least one detector andthe transducer to drive the transducer in response to the electricalsignal.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a power storagedevice coupled to the at least one detector and the active circuitry topower the active circuitry with energy from the at least one detector.3. The device of claim 2 wherein the power storage device and the activecircuitry are configured with at least one of a size or a mass forsupport with the at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle or thecochlea.
 4. The device of claim 2 wherein the at least one light sourceand the at least one detector are configured to supply power to thepower storage device and the active circuitry so as to drive thetransducer with energy from the at least one light source.
 5. The deviceof claim 2 wherein the power storage device comprises at least one of acapacitor or a miniature rechargeable battery.
 6. The device of claim 1wherein the photodetector comprises at least one of as crystallinesilicon, amorphous silicon, micromorphous silicon, black silicon,cadmium telluride, copper indium, gallium selenide, or indium galliumarsenide.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the transducer comprises atleast one of a piezo electric transducer, a flex tensional transducer, awire coil, a magnet or an acoustic speaker.
 8. The device of claim 1wherein the active circuitry comprises at least one of a transistor, anamplifier, a logic gate or a flip flop.
 9. The device of claim 1 furthercomprising circuitry configured to receive the audio signal from aninput transducer and wherein the circuitry is configured to transmit theaudio signal with a pulse width modulated signal from the at least onelight source to the at least one detector.
 10. The device of claim 9wherein the pulse width modulated signal comprises at least one of adelta PWM signal, a differential drive PWM signal, a delta-sigma PWMsignal or a differential delta-sigma PWM signal.
 11. The device of claim1 further comprising circuitry coupled to an input configured to receivethe audio signal, the circuitry coupled to the at least one lightsource, the circuitry configured to adjust an output of the at least onelight source to power the active circuitry in response to the audiosignal.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein the circuitry is configuredmeasure the audio signal to determine energy of the audio signal and toadjust an amount of energy transmitted with the at least one lightsource in response to the power of the audio signal.
 13. The device ofclaim 11 wherein the circuitry is configured to adjust at least one of aDC bias or an amplitude of pulses of the at least one light source inresponse to the audio signal to power the active circuitry.
 14. Thedevice of claim 11 wherein the at least one light source comprises afirst light source configured to transmit the audio signal and a secondlight source configured to transmit power and wherein the circuitry isconfigured to adjust and amount of power transmitted with the secondlight source in response to the audio signal.
 15. The device of claim 11wherein the circuitry comprises a sound processor configured to measurethe audio signal and to adjust the output of the at least one lightsource to power the active circuitry in response to the audio signal.16. A system to transmit an audio signal, the system comprising: aninput transducer assembly comprising at least one light sourceconfigured to emit at least one wavelength of light; and an outputtransducer assembly comprising, at least one detector configured todetect the at least one wavelength of light, active circuitry coupled tothe at least one detector; a transducer electrically coupled to theactive circuitry, the transducer configured to vibrate at least one ofan eardrum, an ossicle, or a cochlea of the user in response to the atleast one wavelength of light.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein theoutput transducer assembly is supported with the at least one of theeardrum, the ossicle or the cochlea.
 18. The system of claim 17 whereinthe output transducer assembly comprises a power storage devicesupported with the at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle and whereinthe power storage device is configured with at least one of a size or amass to vibrate with the at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle or thecochlea.
 19. The system of claim 17 wherein the active circuitry iscoupled to the detector and the transducer to drive the transducer inresponse to the at least one wavelength of light and wherein the activecircuitry is configured with at least one of a size or a mass to vibratewith the at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle or the cochlea. 20.The system of claim 16 wherein the input transducer is configured totransmit the at least one wavelength of light as a pulse width modulatedsignal and wherein the output transducer assembly is configured tovibrate the at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle or the cochlea inresponse to the pulse width modulated signal.
 21. The system of claim 16wherein the at least one wavelength of light comprises a firstwavelength of light and a second wavelength of light and the at leastone light source comprises a first light source configured to emit thefirst wavelength and a second light source configured to emit the secondwavelength of light and wherein the at least one detector comprises afirst detector configured to move the transducer with a first movementin response to a first at least one wavelength of light and a seconddetector configured to move the transducer with a second movement thefirst movement in response to the second at least one wavelength, thesecond movement opposite the first movement.
 22. The system of claim 16wherein the at least one wavelength of light comprises at least one ofan ultraviolet light, a visible light or an infrared light.
 23. A methodof transmitting an audio signal, the method comprising: emitting atleast one wavelength of light from at least one light source; detectingthe at least one wavelength of light to generate an electrical signal;and vibrating at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle, or a cochlea ofthe user in response to the electrical signal.
 24. The method of claim23 wherein the output transducer assembly is supported with the at leastone of the eardrum, the ossicle or the cochlea.
 25. The method of claim24 wherein the output transducer assembly comprises a power storagedevice supported with the at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle orthe cochlea and wherein the power storage device vibrates when the atleast one of the eardrum, the ossicle or the cochlea is vibrated. 26.The method of claim 24 wherein the output transducer assembly comprisesactive circuitry supported with the at least one of the eardrum, theossicle or the cochlea and wherein the active circuitry is coupled tothe detector and the transducer to drive the transducer in response tothe at least one wavelength of light and wherein the active circuitryvibrates when the at least one of the eardrum, the ossicle or thecochlea vibrates.
 27. A device to stimulate a target tissue, the devicecomprising: at least one light source configured to transmit a pulsewidth modulated light signal comprising at least one wavelength oflight; at least one detector coupled to the target tissue to stimulatethe target tissue in response to the modulated light signal.
 28. Thedevice of claim 27 wherein an implantable detector is configured tostimulate the tissue with at least one of a vibration or a current andwherein the detector is coupled to at least one of a transducer or atleast two electrodes.
 29. The device of claim 28 wherein the detector isconfigured to stimulate the tissue with the current and wherein thedetector is coupled to the at least two electrodes.
 30. The device ofclaim 28 wherein the target tissue comprises a cochlea of the user andwherein the modulated light signal comprises an audio signal.
 31. Amethod of stimulating a target tissue, the method comprising: emitting apulse width modulated light signal comprising at least one wavelength oflight from at least one light source; and stimulating the target tissuein response to the modulated light signal.
 32. The method of claim 31wherein the target tissue is stimulated with at least one of a vibrationor a current.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the target tissue isstimulated with the current and wherein an implantable detector iscoupled to at least two electrodes and stimulates the tissue in responseto the modulated signal comprising the at least one wavelength of light.34. The method of claim 32 wherein the target tissue comprises a cochleaof the user and wherein the modulated light signal comprises an audiosignal.
 35. A device to transmit an audio signal comprising sound to auser, the device comprising: means for transmitting the audio signal;and means for detecting the audio signal such that the user hears thesound.